gintaras_valiulis_portfolio_condensed

gintaras valiulisPORTFOLIO

the artist centre

RIVERDALE RUINS

CYCLETOPIA

VILIJA 2.0

BIG + SMALL

BATHURST QUAY MARKETPLACE

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7

6

5

4

2

3

Gintaras Valiulis 1

CO

NTEN

TS

gintaras valiulisa: 4188 SUGARBUSH RD.

MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO L5B 2X7e: [email protected]

T: 647-401-3231

TORONTO BUS TERMINAL

A

Gintaras Valiulis 2

toronto

bus t

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al

marc

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is - p

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PLAN

1 DEPARTURE PLATFORMS2 WAITING AREA3 CAFE4 WASHROOMS5 TICKET KIOSK

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1

45

3

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2

Currently downtown Toronto services its bus commuters through two bus terminals the Union Station Go Bus Terminal and the Toronto Coach Terminal. As the commuter population continues to grow these two terminals will become inadequate to service the larger numbers of people entering Toronto daily. These bus terminals are small, not located in optimal locations, and are inefficiently laid out. This thesis proposes the design of a new bus terminal in the heart of downtown Toronto at the north east corner of Bay St. and Lake Shore Blvd. West. large enough to service all the Toronto bound commuting buses in one location essentially replacing the current two bus terminals. By implementing a helical shape in its design, it is as if the public roadway branches off and curls onto itself forming a continuous vehicular pathway for buses to utilize. Buses ascend and descend these rampways daily, reducing roadway congestion and utilizing the greater number of bus bays to offer commuters the most efficient commute. Due to its location and vicinity to highways and Union Station, the Toronto Bus Terminal establishes itself as an important node to the greater Toronto transportation network.

Gintaras Valiulis 3

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AKETP

LAC

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BATH

URST

QUAY M

ARKETP

LACE

1 market2 lockers3 swimming pool/ ICE RINK4 kid’s swimming pool5 wave seating6 lake ontario

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eire

ann

quay

section

This option studio challenged me to design a marketplace at the bottom of Bathurst street across from Billy Bishop Airport on the south east corner. Currently the site is occupied by the historic Canadian Malting Silos as well as parking and vehicular traffic for persons coming from and leaving the airport. In the immediate vicinity of the site exists many residential units from town houses to condominiums, as well as a community center, a school and a couple of parks. After analyzing the site there exists two central points of focus. One in the southern direction towards Lake Ontario and the other to the east towards Toronto’s downtown core. Part of the studio requirement was to include another program into the marketplace. The local community center does not have a swimming pool and so as an added feature to attract people to the market, I created an infinity pool on the south part of the site that looks as if it is continuous with Lake Ontario. The market remains on the north part of the site, oriented in the east west direction, enclosed with a glass envelope. The swimming pool is oriented in the north south direction and is open to the outdoors. Vast barrel vaults extend over the pool to provide shelter over the area. During the winter the pool would become a skating rink for people in the community to enjoy. Since the site is directly across from the airport, there is sometimes a fascination with planes taking off and landing. In order to enjoy the spectacle of flight, I designed a seating area on the south-west part of the site with steps that emulate the adjacent waves of Lake Ontario. The steps cascade down into the swimming pool and face the landing and take off airways of plane traffic from the airport.

38 X 184 NORTHERN No.1 WOOD ROOF PLANKS MITERED AND OVERLAPPED

600MM TREE TRUNK (TYPICAL)

140 x 286 NORTHERN No.1 TIMBER FRAMING ROOF CROSS BRACING

38 x 286 NORTHERN No.1 TIMBER FRAMING CROSS BRACING


HIDDEN STEEL PLATE CONNECTOR COMES WITH HEX BOLTS AND WASHERS- ALL MEMBERS TO BE GALVANIZED- TYPICAL AT TIMBER FRAMING ROOF BEAMS

140 x 286 NORTHERN No.1 TIMBER FRAMING ROOF BEAM- TYPICAL OF 8

LINE OF PLATFORM DECK BELOW

LINES OF 5.7MM DIAMETER STEEL ROD CROSS BRACED GUARDRAIL SYSTEM BELOW

UPPER GALVANIZED STEEL COMPRESSION RING MOUNT WITH INNER LINED FRICTION PADDING COMES WITH WELDED STEEL ANGLES AND HARDWARE- ALL MEMBERS TO BE GALVANIZED

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A

ROOF PLAN

ROOF FRAMING PLAN

45°

4028

4200

8400











A

A

ROOF PLAN

ROOF FRAMING PLAN

45°

4028

4200

8400











A

A

ROOF PLAN

ROOF FRAMING PLAN

45°

4028

4200

8400

89 x 89 NORTHERN No.1 TIMBER FRAMING RIM BEAM

38 x 89 NORTHERN No.1 FLOOR JOIST SPACED AT 400MM O.C.- TYPICAL OF ALL PLATFORM JOIST FRAMING

5.7MM DIAMETER STEEL ROD (TYPICAL)


HIDDEN WELDED STEEL ANGLES COME WITH HEX BOLTS AND WASHERS- ALL MEMBERS TO BE GALVANIZED- TYPICAL AT ALL TIMBER FRAME PERIMETER CONNECTIONS

89 x 89 NORTHERN No.1 TIMBER FRAMING FLOOR BEAMS

GALVANIZED STEEL MOMENT JOINT CONNECTION - TYPICAL OF FOUR AT TIMBER FRAME BEAM TO BEAM CONNECTIONS

25 X 140 NORTHERN No.1 DECKBOARDS


5.7MM DIAMETER STEEL ROD CROSS BRACED GUARDRAIL SYSTEM SPACED HORIZONTAL 100MM O.C. MAX.


OPERABLE HINGED DOOR HATCH

OUTLINE OF ROOF STRUCTURE ABOVE

TREE MOUNTED LADDER BELOW

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A

3

4.25

PLATFORM PLAN

PLATFORM FRAMING PLAN

CROSS SECTION - A



38 X 184 NORTHERN No. 1 WOOD ROOF PLANKS MITERED AND OVERLAPPED

140 X 286 NORTHERN No.1 TIMBER FRAMING ROOF BEAM

HIDDEN STEEL PLATE CONNECTOR COMES WITH HEX BOLTS AND WASHERS- ALL MEMBERS TO BE GALVANIZED

140 X 286 NORTHERN No.1 TIMBER FRAMING ROOF BEAM COMPRESSION MEMBER

38 X 286 NORTHERN No.1 TIMBER FRAMING CROSS BRACING

LOWER GALVANIZED STEEL COMPRESSION RING MOUNT WITH INNER LINED FRICTION PADDING COMES WITH WELDED STEEL ANGLES AND HARDWARE


89 X 89 NORTHERN No.1 TIMBER FRAMING FLOOR BEAM BEYOND

OUTLINE OF TREE MOUNTED LADDER BEHIND

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135°

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90°

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5515

1980

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90°

42°

103°

1240

740

2029

2197

1875

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4277

6306











A

A

ROOF PLAN

ROOF FRAMING PLAN

45°

4028

4200

8400















A

A

3

4.25

PLATFORM PLAN


CROSS SECTION - A












3325

135°

1010

1305

1010

90°

652

45°

3235

45

45

3325

38

13781663

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5515

1980

(TO

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+/-

1750

0 (T

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7495

90°

42°

103°

1240

740

2029

2197

1875

205

4277

6306















A

A

3

4.25

PLATFORM PLAN


CROSS SECTION - A












3325

135°

1010

1305

1010

90°

652

45°

3235

45

45

3325

38

13781663

1663

5515

1980

(TO

P O

F D

EC

K)

+/-

1750

0 (T

OP

OF

GR

AD

E)

7495

90°

42°

103°

1240

740

2029

2197

1875

205

4277

6306

Gintaras Valiulis

big

+ s

mall

4

marc

h III - p

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a.s

pick

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uctu

res II

in c

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ion w

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hung

The BIG + small treetop post is founded on the idea of a large, overhanging, roof structure sheltering a very small viewing platform. The large roof structure is emphasized by using thick wood members, while the small viewing platform uses thin wood framing members. The large roof structure extends far beyond the limits of the viewing platform, effectively sheltering viewers from snow and rain. As a result, while the structure is still open to the outside, viewers are experiencing a sheltered space similar to an enclosed space. The roof is attached to the large trunk of the tree, while the viewing platform is suspended from the roof. Thin steel rods are used to suspend the viewing platform, creating a ‘floating’ appearance. This is in stark contrast to the attachment of the roof to the tree trunk appearing as an extension of the tree. Additionally, while the use of steel rods resist wind uplift, the platform is able to sway horizontally adding an intriguing dimension to the viewers experience.

Gintaras Valiulis 5

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A B

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H, O

NT. 1 KITCHEN

2 LIVING ROOM3 DINING ROOM4 BEDROOM5 WASHROOM6 CLOSET7 OUTDOOR PATIO

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My family owns a cottage up at Wasaga Beach that has been in the family for over 60 years. it is named Vilija after a river in Lithuania that ran near my grandparents’ home in Lithuania before they fled during the Second World War. My grandparents bought it when they first came to Canada in the early 1950s, and used it during the summer months with my dad and uncle. The cottage is pretty old sitting on top of 2-3 row high concrete block stacks. The exterior walls lack proper insulation or vapour barriers and so the cottage is often victim to the temperature fluctuations outside during the day and night and gets too cold to be used during the winter. The current plan layout is inefficient as well with the kitchen being too small, the absence of a proper dining room, the rear exit to the cottage being through the washroom, and there being too many doors in and out of the cottage that aren’t being used. As I grow older and use the cottage more often, I may propose one day to tear it down and reconstruct it with a more functional plan. The cottage location would continue to be in the family and would continue to be used by my parents, myself and occasionally my siblings during the hot summer and cold winter months. At the rear of the cottage, a foldable doors wall would allow for an inside/outside connection and allow the fresh north air to enter the cottage during the summer months. High cathedral ceilings with exposed wood roof rafters would give the space a more cottage-like ambiance drawing a connection between the cottage’s construction and the surrounding trees and nature.

6Gintaras Valiulis

mar

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PIA

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SECTION

ELEVATION

1 KITCHEN2 LIVING ROOM3 DINING ROOM4 BEDROOM5 WASHROOM6 BIKE GARAGE7 OUTDOOR PATIO8 OFFICE

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UNIT TYPE A

ELEVATION ASSEMBLYBIKE GARAGE

UNIT TYPE B

This design studio involved the exploration of the term Utopia and the possible manifestation of utopian principles within certain Toronto neighborhoods. Cycletopia presents the utopian concept that in the future the bicycle will become the dominant mode of transportation within the city of Toronto slowly eradicating the use and need for the car. As road congestion within the city grows and more residences are being constructed every year, more people will turn to the bicycle as their primary means of getting around. The chosen site is located in the east part of Toronto at the intersection of Victoria Park Ave. and Gerrard St. East. Surrounding the site is an extensive existence of automobile friendly programs, dealerships, mechanics, auto rental companies, etc. Due to the abundance of these automobile specific programs, they are slowly going out of business. On the site I propose to create housing complexes that have bicycle corridors that transverse the entire building. Essentially every part of the building is accessible from the bicycle. Indoor communal spaces become indoor streets that residents use to go from one place to another. The individual housing units are equipped with designated bike parking and indoor front patios. On site there will be a bicycle factory that supplies bicycles to the residents are a low cost and to vendors off site. Within the complexes half of the program will be dedicated to bicycle repair shops, rental boutiques, and stores. The rest of the program will provide social and living amenities such as market places, shops, fitness centres, small retail stores, and green spaces.

Gintaras Valiulis 7

RIV

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Along Broadview Avenue, a few blocks south of the Danforth, exists Riverdale Park who’s landscape opens up to a spectacular view of downtown Toronto, the financial district, the Don Valley Parkway, historic neighbourhoods, etc. Taking in the beautiful sight, however, can be difficult. The steep landscape is marked by informal paths carved into the terrain from public use making it at times difficult to descend or ascend, as well as the lack of shelter makes it extremely cold during the winter and occasionally hot during the summer. Concentrated on the northern edge of the park, this assignment allows for the opportunity of an architectural intervention to solve both problems of accessibility and shelter, while still emphasizing Toronto’s horizon. This project’s intent is to accomplish three primary goals through its design. The first is to facilitate pedestrian movement through the site, the second is didactic in nature with the aim of bringing awareness to the site from pedestrians, and the last is to encourage, promote and foster a social atmosphere. The design is inspired directly from the existing topography of the site. I resurveyed the land accurately recording valleys, summits, the steepest and flattest areas as well as the paths most traveled. The topography is very interesting and unique to the site and thus I deliberately avoided the use of any cutting or filling operations, with the intent of preserving the site. A series of platforms were designed which emerge out of the hillside. These platforms act as steps to facilitate ascending and descending the hill, but act as places of leisure as well, somewhere to sit, read a book, or have a picnic. The platforms follow the contour lines of the site to bring awareness to the unique topography. The platforms are purposely dispersed to encourage exploration, which leads to an intimate connection between the pedestrian and the site. The placement of shelters was also dictated by the site, the steepest areas could allow for the greatest cantilever. The cantilevered spaces were encased in wood framing spaced a couple of inches apart. The framing protects against the elements, however the gaps between the framing at particular angles create interesting views out and cast shadows in.

RIV

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Gintaras Valiulis 8

THE A

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TUD

IOAR

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To accommodate an expansion of the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Architecture’s curricular programs, the university has presented the opportunity for the Faculty of Architecture to build a Centre for Transdisciplinary Design at the corner of Glen Morris St. and Huron. St. on the university campus. The Centre is to establish a connection between art, architecture, landscape architecture and urban design, and facilitate research and experimentation done in the above mentioned fields of study. The Centre is to become a place for students, faculty, and artists to congregate and undertake innovative research. At any time print-makers, painters, ceramists, photographers, sculptors, or other members of applied arts will occupy the building and use it not only for research and work, but for displaying their art work, socializing, and promoting the arts.Art can be beautiful, nostalgic, melancholic, and even absurd, however despite its classification it requires an understanding and conscious effort of analysis; someone has to closely observe every brush stroke, every chisel, and every motion whether intentional or not. The building proposed to house the artist community at the University of Toronto attempts to manifest the same analysis used when attempting to understand art. The building is very irregular in plan with abrupt corners, unforeseen stairs, and constant change in elevation. The intricate analysis and patience that an admirer of art uses when looking at a painting is the same analysis and patience that an occupier will use to understand and navigate through the building. It is the intention that the complexity and mystery that the artist uses in his or her art will be manifest in this building which will display their art. Through the use of many open spaces and voids, the program of the building can constantly change to accommodate the needs and demands of the artists. Art is a very public expression, and so the connection between the gallery spaces, social spaces and studios becomes one of coherence and overlap. The voids become programmed accordingly and the building serves the artists and their needs throughout the duration of their stay.

gintaras_valiulis_portfolio_condensed

Documents

toronto bus terminal

bus terminals

bus commuters

new bus terminal

toronto coach terminal

kids swimming pool

infinity pool

heart of downtown toronto